Agefi Luxembourg - février 2026

Février 2026 45 AGEFI Luxembourg Informatique financière A rtificial intelligence is redefi- ning industries worldwide, and Europe is leading the charge in responsible innovation. Luxembourg, through the CNPD and Europrivacy certification, stands as a trusted hub for data protection andAI compliance. With the EU AI Act now in effect and set to tighten by 2026, or- ganizations must act today to embrace transpa- rency, strengthen gover- nance, and secure their competitive edge in a regu- lated digital future. Europe’s Leadership inDigital Trust The European Union has long championed the pro- tectionofpersonaldataanddigitalrights.TheGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set a global benchmarkforprivacy,influencinglegislationworld- wide. Today, theEUAIAct buildsupon this founda- tion to ensure that artificial intelligence systems respect fundamental rights, safety, and transparency. This regulatory framework is not just about compli- ance but also about fostering trust in technology and strengthening Europe’s role as a global leader in eth- ical innovation. GDPRdemonstratedthatstrongregulationcancoex- ist with innovation. It empowered individuals, clari- fied responsibilities for organizations, and created a level playing field. The EUAI Act follows the same philosophy: regulate to protect, but also to enable re- sponsiblegrowth.BysettingclearrulesforAIsystems, Europe ensures that technological progress aligns with societal values. The EUAIAct:ANewMilestone The EUAI Act entered into force in 2024, marking a historic step in regulating artificial intelligence. Its phasedimplementationwillculminatein2026,when obligations for high-riskAI systems become fully en- forceable.TheActcomplementstheEU’sdatastrategy andreinforcestheprotectionofresidents’data,ensur- ingthatAIdevelopmentalignswithEuropeanvalues. Key objectives of theAct include: - Risk-based classification ofAI systems, distinguish- ingminimal, limited, andhigh-risk applications. - Transparency obligations, requiring clear informa- tion for users and regulators. - Governance and accountability, mandating docu- mentation, monitoring, and human oversight for high-risk systems. Forbusinesses,thismeansadaptinggovernancemod- els, implementing riskmanagement, and embracing certification schemes that validate compliance. Orga- nizations that act early will gain a competitive edge, while those that delay riskpenalties and reputational damage. Luxembourg’sUnique Positioning Luxembourgstandsoutasastrategichubforcompli- ance and innovation. The CNPD (Commission Na- tionalepourlaProtectiondesDonnées)playsapivotal role in enforcing GDPR and now contributes to the oversight of AI governance. Working alongside sec- toral authorities such as the CSSF (financial services) andtheCAA(insurance),theCNPDensuresthatdata protection and AI compliance are integrated across critical industries. This collaborative approach strengthens Luxem- bourg’s reputation as a trusted jurisdiction for finan- cial institutions, insurers, e-commerce platforms, and energy providers. The country’s proactive stance at- tracts global players seeking a secure and compliant environment for digital transformation. Europrivacy: TheCertification of Trust andWhy ItMatters Europrivacy (EP) is thefirst certificationschemeoffi- cially recognized under GDPR and designed to ex- tend to emerging regulations such as the EUAIAct. As an accredited certification body, we at EY work closelywithclientsacrossbanking,insurance,e-com- merce, and energy sectors to help them achieve Eu- roprivacycertification. This certification ismore than just a compliance badge. It is an enabler of competi- tive advantage. It signals to customers, partners, and regulators that an organization prioritizes data pro- tection at a timewhendata protection and ethicalAI practicesaretheneedofthehour,inamarketincreas- inglydrivenbytrust,certificationprovidesassurance and transparency. Europrivacy offers a structuredmethodology to as- sess compliancewithGDPRandrelatedregulations, including the EU AI Act. It covers critical aspects such as: - Dataminimization and securitymeasures -Accountability andgovernance frameworks - Riskmanagement forAI systems FororganizationsdeployingAI,certificationmitigates legalandreputationalriskswhileenablinginnovation within a clear regulatory framework. Strengthening Europe’s Role inAIGovernance The EUAIAct is not an isolated initiative but part of a broader strategy to position Europe as a global leader in trustworthyAI. By combining robust regu- lationwithcertificationschemeslikeEuroprivacy,the EU creates an ecosystem where innovation thrives underethicalprinciples.Thisapproachcontrastswith other jurisdictionswhere regulation is fragmentedor reactive. Europe’s proactive stance ensures that tech- nological progress serves society, respects rights, andbuilds confidence among citizens andbusinesses alike. Sectorial Impact:Why compliance matters across industries The EUAIAct andGDPR are not ab- stract regulations. In fact, they di- rectly affect how organizations operate across different sectors. Each industry faces unique chal- lenges and risks when deploying AIsystems,fromfinancialdecision- making to consumer profiling and critical infrastructure management. Understanding these sector-specific implications is essential for businesses toprepareeffectivelyandmaintaintrust. Europrivacy certification provides a practical solution, offering a standardized approachtocompliancewhileaddressingthenuances of each sector. Below, we explore how financial ser- vices,e-commerce,andenergyproviderscanleverage Europrivacytoturnregulatoryobligationsintostrate- gic advantages. Banksandfinancialinstitutions areamongthemost impactedby theGDPRand theEUAIAct.AI-driven toolssuchascreditscoring,frauddetection,andalgo- rithmic trading fall under high-risk categories. These systems influence critical decisions about loans, in- vestments,andcompliance,makingtransparencyand fairness essential. Europrivacy certification helps financial institutions demonstrate accountability by validating that pro- cesses involved in the processing of personal data in- cluding those that areAI driven complywithGDPR. This includes: - Biasmitigation in credit scoring and riskmodels. - Explainability for automated decisions impacting customers. - Robust data governance topreventmisuse of sensi- tive financial data. For Luxembourg’s financial sector, where trust and reputationareparamount,certificationisnotjustreg- ulatory. It is a competitive differentiator. Institutions thatadoptEuroprivacyearlywillreassureregulators, investors,andclientsthattheyoperatewithinasecure and ethical framework. E-commerce platforms increasingly rely on AI for personalization,fraudprevention,anddynamicpric- ing,andhavealwaysprocessedlargeamountsofper- sonaldata–fromlow-riskpersonaldatatopurchasing patterns.Whiletheseinnovationsenhanceuserexpe- rience, they also introduce risks related to profiling, consent, and fairness. Under the EUAI Act, systems thatinfluenceconsumerbehaviourorinvolvebiomet- ric identificationmay be classified as high-risk. Europrivacy certification provides assurance that e- commerce businesses respect privacy and comply withdataprotection standards. Keybenefits include: - Transparent personalization algorithms that avoid discriminatorypractices. -Securehandlingofpaymentandidentitydatatopre- vent breaches. - Compliancewith consent andprofiling rules under GDPRandAIAct respectively. Inamarketwhereconsumertrustdrivesgrowth,cer- tification becomes a strategic asset. It signals that the platform values ethical AI and data protection, strengtheningbrand loyaltyandreducing regulatory exposure. For global e-commerce firms, entering the Europeanmarket is not just about logistics and pric- ing. It is about trust. Europrivacycertificationacceler- atesentry,buildscredibility,andpositionsyourbrand as a trusted leader. Theenergysectorisundergoingadigitaltransforma- tion, withAI powering smart grids, predictivemain- tenance,andenergyoptimization.Thesetechnologies improveefficiencyandsustainabilitybutalsoinvolve processinglargevolumesofpersonalandoperational data. Energy companies, like all organizations pro- cessing the personal data of EUresidents,must com- ply with the GDPR’s principles and obligations. However, the energy sector faces specific challenges due to smart grids, IoT devices, and large-scale data analytics.Companiesmustclearlydefinewhydatais collected and ensure it is not used for unrelated pur- poses without consent. Privacy notices must be clear and accessible. Under the EUAI Act, AI systems managing critical infrastructureorinfluencingenergydistributionmay beconsideredhigh-risk.Europrivacycertificationen- sures that innovation aligns with compliance by ad- dressing: - Data security in smart grid operations to prevent cyber threats. - Privacy safeguards for connected devices and IoT sensors inhomes andbusinesses. - Transparent algorithms for energypricing and con- sumption analytics. For energy providers, certification demonstrates a commitmenttotheethicalcollectionandusageofper- sonal data. It reassures regulators andcustomers that digitalinnovationrespectsprivacyandcomplieswith European standards. ACall toAction With the EUAIAct strengthening in 2026, organiza- tionsmust act today. Key steps include: - Assess AI systems for risk classification under the Act. - Implement governance frameworks aligned with GDPRandAI requirements. - Engagewith certification bodies to validate compli- ance andbuild trust. - Train teams on ethicalAI principles and regulatory obligations. Additionally, early adoption of Europrivacy certi- ficationpositions organizations aheadof the curve, reducing compliance costs and enhancing market credibility. The convergence of GDPR, the EUAIAct, and Eu- roprivacy certification marks a new era for digital trust. Luxembourg, through theCNPDand sectoral authorities, offers a robust environment for compli- ance and innovation.As a Europrivacy certification body, we at EYLuxembourg are committed to sup- porting organizations in navigating this evolving landscape. Together, we can strengthen Europe’s role in shaping a future where technology serves humanity responsibly. AbdelhayTOUDMA EYLuxembourgTechnologyConsultingPartner, Governance,RiskandComplianceLeader JohannLOBO EYLuxembourgSeniorManager, Cyber&DigitalRisk,EuroprivacyCertification,ITRegulation EU AI Act and Data Privacy certification: Anchoring Trust in Europe’sAI and Data Governance L eministère des Finances a mis enplace un comité consultatif sur l'intelligence artificielle (IA) dans le secteur de la finance. Sa première réunion s'est tenue le 16 janvier 2026. Le comité consultatif rassemble des hauts responsablesdusecteurfinancierinterna- tionaletdumondeuniversitaire.Ilconseil- lera le ministre des Finances, Gilles Roth, surledéveloppementstratégiqueetledé- ploiementresponsabledel'IAdanslesser- vices financiers, afin de soutenir la compétitivité,larésilienceetlacréationde valeur du Luxembourg pour l'économie et la société. Le comité consultatif se réu- nira régulièrement afind'aider le Luxem- bourg à renforcer sa position de centre financier de premier plan et innovant. Le comité consultatif est coprésidé par le ministre des Finances Gilles Roth et Jean- Louis Schiltz, avocat à laCour, professeur honoraire et ancienministre de laCoopé- ration et de l'Action humanitaire. Ses membres sont : - Jenny Johnson, présidente et directrice générale de FranklinTempleton - Peter Zaffino, président et directeur gé- néral de American International Group, Inc. (AIG) - Eric Xiandong Jing, président de Ant Group - Vijay Shekhar Sharma, fondateur et di- recteur général de Paytm - Prof. Alex "Sandy" Pentland, professeur en technologies de l'information auMas- sachusetts Institute of Technology - Prof. David Shrier, professeur de pra- tique en intelligence artificielle et innova- tion à l'Imperial College London Participent en tant qu'observateurs : -NicolasMackel,ambassadeur,représen- tant permanent du Luxembourg auprès de l'UE - Claude Marx, directeur général de la Commissiondesurveillancedusecteurfi- nancier (CSSF) - Tom Théobald, directeur général de Luxembourg for Finance - Nasir Zubairi, directeur général du LuxembourgHouse of Financial Techno- logy (LHoFT) Le ministre des Finances Gilles Roth a commenté : « Je suis ravi de lancer le co- mité consultatif sur l'IA dans le secteur de la finance. L'intelligence artificielle transforme déjà profondément les ser- vices financiers à un rythme sans précé- dent. En réunissant certains des leaders les plus expérimentés aumonde issude la sphère financière et universitaire, nous créons une plateforme qui aidera le Luxembourg à anticiper le change- ment, à soutenir l'innovation et à pro- mouvoir l'utilisation responsable de l'IA au sein de notre centre financier. Sur cette base, nous continuerons à jouer un rôle pionnier en tant que pays et à mener notre centre financier vers un avenir durable. » La première réunion enpersonne du co- mité consultatif a été précédée d'un dîner donné par S.A.R. le Grand-Duc. Source : ministère des Finances Un comité consultatif sur l'IAdans la finance ©MFIN